WHAT
IS THE
BIRTH TO 3 PROGRAM?
Birth to 3
is Wisconsin’s early intervention program for infants and toddlers
with developmental delays and disabilities and their families. A federal law, the
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), provides a framework for a
comprehensive program and coordinates developmental, health and social services within the
community. The Department of Health Services oversees the Birth to 3 Program in
Wisconsin and has developed rules (HFS 90) that specify the
program requirements.
HOW WILL THE
BIRTH TO 3 PROGRAM HELP?
The earlier a child’s
developmental delays are discovered, the more opportunities there are for a child to
increase skills and abilities. The goal is to help children participate in their
communities.
In addition to the skills the child develops, Birth to 3 Programs are committed to
providing services in a way that makes sense for each family. This "family
centered" program recognizes the importance of parents, family and friends in a young
child’s life. The early intervention team will provide ideas and techniques to help a
family enhance their child’s development and learning potential.
HOW ARE FAMILIES' RIGHTS
PROTECTED?
Specific rights for children and families are built into the Birth to 3 Program.
These procedural safeguards are legal requirements. They assure that the Birth to 3
Program will follow specific procedures that protect the rights of children and families.
Some of these rights include:
- Parents must give
written consent for any evaluations, assessments or services.
-
Participation is
voluntary, so parents can refuse any services, evaluations or assessments.
- Records will be
kept confidential.
- Parents can review
or request corrections to their child's and family's records.
- Parents have a
right to disagree with decisions regarding their child's eligibility or the provision of
appropriate services to their child and family.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE SERVICES?
The Birth to 3 Program is for
children ages birth to 36 months. Eligibility is based on a diagnosed disability or
significant delay in one or more areas of development. The team will evaluate the
child’s ability to: learn (cognitive development); move, see and hear
(physical/motor development); communicate and understand other’s communication
(speech and language development); respond to and relate with others (social and
emotional development); and eat, dress and care for daily living needs (adaptive
development). A Birth to 3 service coordinator helps the family understand and participate
in the evaluation process.
Services and supports a child and family receive are based on individual needs.
Eligibility for this program is not affected by the family’s income; however, parents
may need to contribute to the costs of services.
WHAT SERVICES AND SUPPORTS
MIGHT BE AVAILABLE?
If the child is eligible for the program, the service coordinator works with the
family to see that the family and their child receive the services and supports they need
within the family’s natural environment.
The service coordinator and other early
intervention staff meet with the family to discuss the child’s developmental
strengths and needs. This team, including the parents, determines what services and
supports would enhance the child’s development and prepares a plan to provide
supports and services within the family’s typical routines and activities. This plan
is called an Individualized Family Service Plan or IFSP.
Some of the services and supports that might be provided to meet the
developmental outcomes identified in an IFSP include:
 Family Education
Developmental Education Services
Communication Services
Related Health Services
Occupational Therapy
Physical Therapy
WHERE ARE PROGRAMS LOCATED?
The Birth to 3 Program is available in every county in Wisconsin. Each county has
designated an agency that is responsible for the operation of the program in that county.
The program may be called by a different name, but it is available to provide services to
children with delays or disabilities.
Find out how to contact the Birth to 3
Program in
your county, or call
the statewide, toll-free number for information and referral:
Wisconsin First Step
(exit DHS)
1-800-642-STEP
For state level information, contact:
Department of Health Services
Birth to 3 Program
P.O. Box 7851
Madison, WI 53707-78751
(608) 266-8276
The Birth to 3 Program
Mission Statement
The Birth to 3 Program is committed to children
under the age of three with developmental delays and disabilities and their families. We
value the family's primary relationship with their child and work in partnership with the
family. We work to enhance the child's development and support the family's knowledge,
skills, and abilities as they interact with and raise their child.
Services will be provided in the child's natural environments. These settings are
unique to each family and might include the home, child care, and other community
settings. (More
information about natural environments.) |
